The reference to the treatment of
debtors in prison shown on the last page goes on to say what they are
to be given to eat and drink, with
a separate list for men and women.
This is a reminder that women could
end up in prison for owing small sums
of money, as well as men.

As this was meant
to be a special diet for these prisoners it gives you some idea of how
horrible the food must have been for
all the other people in jail at this time !

Pint
- 0.568 litreOz.- short for ounces. One ounce is
about 28 grams.Gruel- liquid meal of oatmeal boiled
in water or milk.

Quarter
Sessions
document1847

This entry sets out the menu
for debtors:"Breakfast,
Males - 1 Pint of Oatmeal Gruel, 8oz of Bread
Females - 1 Pint of Oatmeal Gruel, 6oz of Bread.Dinneron
Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Males - 1 pint of Soup, 8oz of Bread,
and for Females - 1 pint of Soup, 6oz of Bread.Dinneron
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdayfor Males
- 3oz of cooked Meat without bone, half a pound of potatoes, 8oz of Bread.
For Females - 3oz of cooked Meat without bone, half a pound of potatoes,
6oz of Bread. Supper same as Breakfast
every day".The
new prison rules from 1847 also banned
these prisoners from getting hold of any tobacco, wine, beer or spirits
unless it was under doctor's orders
!